4 Major Benefits of Working in Shifts

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Are you a budding musician or artist seeking flexible work options to keep your dream job alive? Perhaps you’re seeking a better work-life balance, so you can spend more time with the family. Or maybe you’re looking for a part-time alternative to supplement your studies. Whatever the reason, at some point in your life, you might find yourself pursuing shift work. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at what exactly shift work is and the main benefits. Read on for more!

WHAT IS SHIFT WORK?

Designed to provide around-the-clock service, shift work keeps an organization operating 24 hours a day, and sometimes seven days a week. It functions much like a relay race, where an athlete will take the baton, run with it and then pass it seamlessly to the next athlete. Although in this scenario, the transition occurs between employees working at different times. 

The work can involve evening or night shifts, early morning shifts, or day shifts, with some of the schedules rotating every couple of weeks. Some industries include retail, hospitality, law enforcement or any business committed to servicing customers outside of an eight-hour day. Shift lengths vary but generally tend to be divided into three eight-hour shifts or two 12-hour shifts.

THE BENEFITS OF SHIFT WORK

While there are many pros and cons to working in shifts for both the employer and employee, we’ve taken a closer look at the top four benefits.

  1. EARN MORE

Most companies will provide a higher rate of pay when you work the night shift, because of the overnight differential rate.  That’s more money for your pay-cheque and bank account, giving you additional income to save or spend!

  1. CONVENIENCE

What better way to increase your freedom in both time and finances, than by taking charge of your own schedule? Most employees can choose the shift according to their needs.

If you need to spend more time with family in the day, or run errands and do pleasurable activities like going to the movies, opt for a night shift. If you need your nights to be free, then take the morning shift.  If neither option is ideal, you can always mix it up and go for a rotating shift instead.

  1. AVOID PEAK HOURS

Take the stress out of your daily commute by choosing a shift that allows you to travel with less rush and traffic. Peak hour traffic tends to occur mostly in the mornings, so opting for an evening or night shift might make more sense for you. At any rate, it makes travelling more flexible, and increases your chance of finding a seat if you take public transit.

  1. FLEXIBILITY

Working shifts can be advantageous if you need to request time off for an appointment. You can make up the time, by working a different shift or swapping with a colleague so that no time or pay is lost during the transition.

FIND THE SHIFT THAT WORKS FOR YOU  

Are you looking for shift work in Hamilton, Burlington, Toronto or the GTA? Contact our experts at ABL Careers to get you started.

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